Community Shares | March 2nd

Community Shares

• A new study shows that early puberty is common in girls on the spectrum and calls for better preparation to make the transition for these young ladies go more smoothly.
• The New Jersey Autism Center for Excellence (NJACE) has released a new webinar on the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based Model (DIR)  therapy which demonstrates how different disciplines can work together and deepen the therapeutic process. Information on new Medicaid coverage for DIR services will also be discussed.  
• Parents and professionals are urged to check out Profectum’s new webinar titled: The Spectrum Of Play: Symbolic Play In The Treatment Of Trauma, Mental Health And Developmental Differences: An Integrated Forum. The presentation takes place on two consecutive Sundays March 7 and 14. 
• Hypotonia is an easily recognizable marker of ASD and may serve as a “red flag” in babies to prompt an earlier autism diagnosis. A new study found that hypotonia can accelerate the age of diagnosis by 1.5 years in males and 1 year in females. This can lead to earlier intensive intervention and better outcomes. 
• Preeclampsia can double the risk of autism. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued a draft statement recommending the use of low-dose aspirin (81 mg/day) as preventive medication after 12 weeks of gestation in persons who are at high risk for preeclampsia. The document is available for public comment until March 22, 2021. 
• Many children and teens with autism suffer from eating disorders.  A new report from the Child Mind Institute outlines the advantages of family-based treatment (FBT) which occurs in the home versus in-patient or hospital care for treating anorexia and bulimia. 
• The Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation (CIDI) at Georgia Tech has created COVID-19 Guidance and Resources for people with disabilities. The resources on the site are adapted and accessible versions of CDC’s COVID-19 guidance.  There are easy-to-read versions for those with intellectual disabilities or low reading fluency.
• The rates of autism and ADHD were found to be higher in children with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) in a study from Sweden. EDS is marked by joint hypermobility, pain, fatigue, impaired proprioception and poor sleep. Genetic forms of EDS are exceedingly rare, but the form called hypermobile EDS, for which a genetic cause has not yet been verified, may affect up to 3.4% of children.                                                                     
• Children on the spectrum with co-occurring emotional and behavioral problems are at risk for lower health related quality of life (HRQoL) outcomes. Treating these co-occurring conditions may greatly improve HRQoL. It is important for parents to advocate for treatments that address each of their child’s diagnoses.